Apparently militant secularism is threatening the position of religion in the UK.  I certainly hope so.  Then there is militant atheism, trying to stamp out faith in government.  It would be a nice idea.

"Militant" means vigorously active, combative and aggressive.  Excellent.  To get things done in politics it's necessary to be all of these things, otherwise no-one takes any notice.  Religion certainly is, what with all these compative speeches about atheism and all that. Militant does not mean angry, thuggish, and certainly not violent.  And yet it is made to seem so by those who oppose reason.

Next time the accusation of militancy is made, let's embrace it, and let them look it up.  If active atheism concerns them, let them be concerned; if aggressive support of science and reason is disturbing, then let them be disturbed. If they fear reason and free thinking, let that be their choice, let's not provide them with comfort by insisting that we are going to be nice.